OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of two anthropometric and four bioelectric impedance (BIA) equations to estimate body composition from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in adolescent girls of various ethnicities. The rationale for this study was to develop a prediction equation for percent body fat in a multi-ethnic, representative sample of sixth to eighth grade girls. DESIGN: One-hundred and sixty-six girls (51 African-American, 45 non-Black Hispanic, 55 non-Hispanic Caucasian, 15 multi-ethnic) participated. Estimates of percent fat and fat-free mass (FFM) from six published BIA and anthropometric equations and the equation developed from this study were compared to body composition determined from DXA. An RJL Systems analyzer was used to measure BIA. Anthropometry included body weight, height, and triceps and calf skinfolds. RESULTS: Average (± SD) age, size and body composition was as follows: age, 12.1±1.2 yrs, body mass 52.7±15.9 kg, height, 154.6±8.1 cm; DXA percent fat, 27.9±10.4; fat mass (FM), 15.6±10.2 kg; and fat free mass (FFM) 35.7±6.8 kg. No ethnic differences were found in the relationships between estimated and DXA measured body composition, with the exception of the skinfold equation. The six equations explained on average 82% of the variance in percent fat, 94% of the variance in fat mass, and 88% in fat free mass. Bland-Altman analysis indicated that none of the equations performed satisfactorily in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: The BIA and anthropometric equations were significantly related to DXA body composition parameters, however none met the criteria for cross-validation.